Step 2: Strategic assessment

The evidence base was used to complete a strategic assessment of community provision. This will be used to support the development of a Community Facility Strategy.

Through GIS network modelling, we mapped community facilities across the city. We added a 15-minute walk-time catchment around all dedicated community centres and facilities. We overlaid this with data that shows the needs of the community living within each centre's catchment area.

We assessed each community centre's location and the extent to which it serves a catchment of strategic importance. The centres have then been ranked to help to identify those which are:

Core centres - strategically important centres which will remain supported by us

Transitional centres - assessed as less strategically important and requiring further options appraisal

Independent centres - assessed as less strategically important centres for the council. Likely to already receive minimal, or no council support or core funding

We will also review whether we need to re-focus our community development activities to better meet local residents' needs.

Next steps

The recommendations in the draft strategy were considered by Community Services Scrutiny Committee in January 2017. Following that, a detailed consultation plan will be developed to seek early views on the proposals. If you would like to be sent details of the consultation please contact us.